Character Relationship Map: Sabotage

Characters

• Mrs. Verloc (played by Sylvia Sidney) — protagonist

  Wife of Karl and Stevie. Initially unaware of the terrorist plot, she falls for undercover detective Ted. After Stevie accidentally delivers a bomb that kills him, she discovers Karl's guilt, kills hi...

• Karl Verloc - Her Husband (played by Oskar Homolka) — protagonist

  Cinema owner secretly coordinating attacks for a European terrorist gang. Tasked with planting a bomb at Piccadilly Circus, he delegates the delivery to his brother-in-law Stevie. After the explosion...

• Stevie - Her Young Brother (played by Desmond Tester) — supporting

  Mrs. Verloc's younger brother living with the couple. Innocent and naive, he is tricked by Karl into delivering a disguised time bomb to Piccadilly Circus station. Delayed by a parade, he boards a bus...

• The Professor's Daughter (uncredited) (played by Martita Hunt) — minor
• Superintendent Talbot (played by Matthew Boulton) — supporting
• The Professor (played by William Dewhurst) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• The Professor's Daughter (uncredited) → The Professor (daughter)
• Superintendent Talbot → Mrs. Verloc (Power Police Authority) — The police possess authority over her possible confession and prosecution.

  The police superintendent considers whether Mrs. Verloc spoke before or after the explosion while the police handle the aftermath.

• Karl Verloc - Her Husband → Stevie - Her Young Brother (Family Brother-in-Law) — Karl exploits this family connection to make Stevie carry the bomb.

  Stevie lives with Karl and Mrs. Verloc, making Karl his brother-in-law.

• Mrs. Verloc → Stevie - Her Young Brother (Family Sister And Brother) — Mrs. Verloc is protective of her innocent younger brother.

  Stevie is described as Mrs. Verloc's younger brother who lives with her and Karl.

• Mrs. Verloc → Karl Verloc - Her Husband (Family Wife And Husband) — Their marriage becomes the central domestic relationship in the tragedy.

  The plot identifies Karl Verloc as Mrs. Verloc's husband, and they live together above the cinema.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Superintendent Talbot → Karl Verloc - Her Husband (Narrative Investigation Target) — Karl's terrorist activities form the police investigation's central target.

  The police investigate Karl's suspected involvement, and the police superintendent remains present during the final aftermath.

Story Analysis

A hidden terrorist plot destroys a family when an innocent boy carries a bomb and his sister confronts the man responsible.

Plot Progression

1. Blackout Behind the Cinema — A blackout exposes Karl Verloc's hidden sabotage while he deceives his wife. The cinema setting establishes the contrast between domestic normality and political violence.
2. The Watcher Next Door — Scotland Yard places Ted undercover beside the cinema. He befriends Mrs. Verloc and Stevie while gradually recognizing Mrs. Verloc's innocence.
3. The Bomb Takes Shape — Karl visits the bird shop and arranges a timed bomb. Ted's attempted surveillance exposes the danger surrounding the Verloc household.
4. Stevie's Fatal Errand — Karl disguises the bomb as projector equipment and sends Stevie to Piccadilly Circus. A parade delays Stevie until he carries the bomb onto a bus.
5. A Marriage Destroyed — Karl confesses after Stevie's death and is killed by Mrs. Verloc during their confrontation. Ted tries to protect her, but a final explosion destroys the evidence and interrupts her confession.